A video is currently circulating on X (formerly Twitter) that allegedly shows Muslims using the university library at the University of Essen as a prayer room. It was shared by Nius reporter Joelle Rautenberg, among others, who sharply condemned it in her commentary on the video: “This video comes from the University of Essen. Muslims there are misappropriating the university library as a prayer room with a naturalness and shamelessness that is hard to believe. #Islamisation.” This “genuflection” to the rituals and practices of a religion that does not belong there and is problematic for a number of reasons is emblematic of a society “that constantly wants to be tolerant but does not realise that public spaces are now being Islamised”, says Rautenberg.
In the comments under the shared video, there are only one or two users who show sympathy for the young men: “Very nice gesture. If the University of Essen were to set up a prayer room, it would be good for everyone involved,” writes one. “Would they have a prayer room they could go to instead? This is apparently the back corridor in a large library that they use for half an hour. They apparently want to cause as little disturbance as possible and just pray,” defends another. But most users criticise the misuse of the room: “Unbelievable. There is a lack of the slightest respect,” says one user. “There are library staff in university and court libraries. Why don’t they intervene? After all, other students can’t access the bookshelves at this time. Why doesn’t a student dare to complain? Special rights again?” wonders another user. One user refers to the university’s domiciliary rights and explains that a library is not a prayer room and that the university can take action on the basis of its domiciliary rights. Another user points out that the university even has its own quiet rooms, which are available for just such things: “That’s not acceptable at all,” he comments on the misappropriation.